A Marion County man who has been missing since March, but whose disappearance was only recently reported to authorities, reputedly had a thriving business of raising fighting chickens.
The wife and daughter of Roger Tant said they have not seen him since March 9 or 10.
He was reported missing on June 28.
An aerial view of his property at 424 Hewgley Road, South Pittsburg, shows dozens of small coops as well as several larger outbuildings. There is also a swimming pool on the property.
One Internet posting from an unidentified Texas man says, "Roger Tant of Tennessee inherited some of the broodstock of Hugh Norman when Mr. Norman passed away. Some of these Roundheads come mean, but are agile, athletic and can cut, cut, cut.
"I obtained a Norman Whitehackle/Roundhead cross and he was shown at Texoma and won three times in one day - once in the derby and twice hacked - quite a few years ago.
"Unfortunately, I lost Roger's number, but if anyone would be kind enough to post it or better yet PM the number to me, I would be very grateful. Thanks in advance."
Another post on a chicken fighting blog says, "hey men march the 10 was last time anyone seen mr roger tant of south pittsburg tenn,, he is very active gamefowl breeder,, and alot of cockers know him,,as i said he was last seen march 10 and his sister finally got worried about him and reported him missin last week his wife just said she figured he had left with DISGUSTING "chicken men"
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,he has left all his broodstock and battlecocks at home 100's of them and she destroyed all of it had pens dozed away and if anyone knows how rooster men are we dont leave our chickens, wife maybe not chickens(which was all gifted to him by hugh norman at his passin) anyway men if u have seen em or heard anything about him PLEASE pm me,, thanks."
A Marion County man posted, "I live about 2 miles from Roger Tant....never really got to talk to him because he did not like messing with local cockers. You know how it is....if you don't know somebody you would be suspicious and would not want them to see all of your fowl. Anyway, this is strange and the work here around town is that things are pointing to a bad ending for him...that is all I am going to say. Would love to find out he is with chicken men, but I seriously doubt it."
Another said, "Reported missing last week after how long 4 months ..... I hope all is good but I think a chicken man would of left someone to take care of his birds "
Cockfighting is illegal in Tennessee, but it is a misdemeanor, not a felony.
Detective Matt Blansett of the Marion County Sheriff's Department said the sister of the 54-year-old Tant filed the missing person's report. Connie Case said she had been trying to reach her brother for several weeks, but was unable to.
He is described as 5'9'', 195 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
If you have any information about the whereabouts of James Roger Tant, contact the Marion County Sheriff's Department at 423-942-2525 or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.